Happy Birthday to Flight Attendants

Today marks the 85th anniversary of the first Flight Attendant, Ellen Church. Ellen was a registered pilot and nurse, but wasn't granted the ability to fly. As Ellen began to blaze the trail for Flight Attendants everywhere, we're following her lead as we fight for our jobs and human rights standards.

Happy Birthday to Flight Attendants!

Today marks the 85th anniversary of the first Flight Attendant, Ellen Church. Ellen was a registered pilot and nurse, but wasn't granted the ability to fly. Upon her suggestion, the manager of the San Francisco office of Boeing Air Transport hired her as the head stewardess, a nurse to be on board the airplane to calm the public's fear of flying. The innovation of Flight Attendants on board to care for the passengers was a huge success starting with Ellen. We celebrate Ellen's initiative to help women join the aviation industry.

As Ellen began to blaze the trail for Flight Attendants everywhere, we're following her lead as we fight for our jobs and human rights standards. Legislation Fast Tracking TPP and future trade deals is on its way, so we need you to help put a stop this and fight for democracy. We have to be resolute in protecting U.S. labor standards and maintaining our nation's status as the safest aviation system in the world. Until we put a stop to this secret deal, we need you to be calling your member of Congress every Wednesday. #RingYourRep on Wednesday and encourage your member of Congress to Vote NO to Fast Track and use #StopTPP to follow the conversation online.

The Gulf State carriers –Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates—are expanding aggressively through their gargantuan subsidies from their respective governments. These subsidies violate the Open Skies Agreement and threaten the vitality of the U.S. airline industry. The three major airlines have dedicated resources to a two-year long investigation to prove that the benefits these carriers receive from their governments are a threat to the global aviation marketplace and must be stopped.

The Open Skies Agreement was established on fair competition and a level playing field. These subsidies directly violate that and will hinder the ability for the U.S. airlines to compete. Our government must put an end to this. Today, I'm joining the leaders from other aviation unions and the CEOs from the three major airlines at the National Press Club to bring attention to this issue to continue fighting for our jobs and the American aviation industry. Sign our petition here if you'd like to show your support for a fair and level playing field in aviation.

Your voice, in concert with our flying partners, is the power of our union in action. #RingYourReps this week, on Wednesday, to voice your opposition to Fast Track, and on Friday, to fight fatigue.

Members of Congress are on our planes nearly every week. Wear your AFA pin to show them we are united in our efforts to protect our jobs and improve aviation safety. All in, Wear your pin! Check out the video.